• UFC doubles traditional fight-night bonuses to $100,000 each.
  • Every fighter who records a finish but doesn’t win a top bonus will get $25,000.
  • Change takes effect at UFC 324; Dana White ties move to new Paramount broadcast deal.

What changed: bigger paydays for fighters

The UFC announced it will double its long-running fight-night bonuses, raising the standard award from $50,000 to $100,000. The promotion also added a new $25,000 payout for every athlete who records a finish but does not receive one of the top $100,000 bonuses.

When it starts

The new structure takes effect immediately at UFC 324, held Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Traditionally, the UFC handed out four $50,000 bonuses: two Performance of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night shared between both competitors. Those top bonuses now carry a $100,000 value.

Why the change matters

Beyond the higher headline amounts, the guaranteed $25,000 for any finish aims to reward fighters who end fights even if they don’t land a top bonus. The adjustment is designed to incentivize more finishes and sharper performances across the card.

Paramount broadcast deal connection

UFC CEO Dana White linked the bonus increase to the promotion’s new seven-year U.S. broadcast deal with Paramount Skydance Corp., a pact reportedly worth $7.7 billion. White had teased larger bonuses since the agreement, and confirmed the new structure to Sports Business Journal.

How bonuses have worked before

Bonus winners are determined internally by the UFC leadership after each event. On some cards the company has awarded more than the typical four bonuses depending on the night’s action. White has also boosted bonus amounts for special occasions — for example, raising awards to $300,000 apiece for UFC 300 in April 2024.

Names to watch at UFC 324

UFC 324 is headlined by Justin Gaethje, one of the promotion’s most frequent bonus earners with 14 fight-night awards in his UFC career. The all-time record belongs to Charles Oliveira with 21 bonuses.

What fighters and fans can expect

Fighters now have clearer financial incentives for finishing fights, not just winning. For fans, the change could lead to more aggressive, finish-seeking performances across prelims and main cards alike.

The move marks a notable shift in how the UFC rewards in-cage entertainment and aligns bonus policy with the increased revenue expectations tied to its Paramount broadcast partnership.

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